Advice needed regarding "panic room" integration

[Nksg75]

Not sure about colors but what I do to give chicks a fighting chance is to put roosts at different heights as chicks will instinctively seek height when they feel threatened. They are not inclined to go into a dark place. Only very young chicks try to hide in the dark and that is to simply duck under a stationary object. In this case a short sided cardboard box turned upside down works great. Only the most aggressive of bird will hop from roost to roost to bully a chick. Another thing is to make sure you have enough room for your birds, have multiple feed/water stations. Corners are a problem as the bullied bird will simply stick her head in the corner and stop moving.
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Turn this upside down, cut out one side and you will have a hidey hole for small chicks.
You can put rocks on the side to stabilize the box.
You can also create safe areas by using your imagination. I've broken down cardboard boxes and draped them over roosts to create a tent-like places for submissive birds to hide under. Once I used a thick, stiff saddle pad situated over a rock for some wild turkeys I hatched. It formed a tent that was perfect for them. Those little buggers like to hide but after a week they could out fly any chicken.

So, when thinking of ways to keep your birds safe from bullies don't be afraid to think outside of the box! Good luck!

Thank you for the great tips!!

 

[Eryniel]

I integrated using the "panic room" method, and had minimal pecking. I simply used the brooder, and once the chicks were about 2 weeks I opened the little "door." Initially they rarely came out, but as they became older and bolder, they came out more frequently. At 6 weeks I removed the brooder and all has been well!

The hens could poke their heads in through the hole, but couldn't fit all the way. (I have RIR and Black Sex Link hens) I made it about 3" wide and 5" deep, but about 2 inches at the bottom were blocked by the frame, as you see. I did have 1 larger chick that by around 5 1/2 weeks could no longer fit through the hole, but everyone else could.

 

[aart]

Just fyi I discovered that standard size hens can fit thru a 4" X 3" opening....

Ha, I did too!!
Well, hen that could get thru was a LF but 'slimline'.
Glad I discovered it before putting the chicks in there!
My doors are adjustable.....think 3-3.5" wide is what finally worked.

 

[Nksg75]

I integrated using the "panic room" method, and had minimal pecking. I simply used the brooder, and once the chicks were about 2 weeks I opened the little "door." Initially they rarely came out, but as they became older and bolder, they came out more frequently. At 6 weeks I removed the brooder and all has been well!

The hens could poke their heads in through the hole, but couldn't fit all the way. (I have RIR and Black Sex Link hens) I made it about 3" wide and 5" deep, but about 2 inches at the bottom were blocked by the frame, as you see. I did have 1 larger chick that by around 5 1/2 weeks could no longer fit through the hole, but everyone else could.
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Thank you. So it looks like you only had 1 hole or door?
I am planning on setting it up this weekend, and I have a few polish chicks in with other breeds. I am not so worried about the CCL chicks, as they seem to be able find gaps in the brooder all the time.